Building construction



Nov. 17, 1964 H. R. RASCH 3,157,251

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 2. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HERMAN s. RASCH ATTORNEY Nov; 17, 1964 H. R. RASCH 3,157,251

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 2. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HERMAN R: ESCH M N ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1964 H. R. RASCH 3, 57,251

BUILDING comsmucwzow Filed May 2, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 HERMAN R. RASCH ATTORNEY INVENTOR Nov. 17, 1964 H. R. RASCH 3,157,251

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 2. 1960 6 Sheets+8heet 5 J M. Ml)! i .INVENTOR. HERMAN R. RASCH BY M16404? A TTORNE YS Nov. 17, 1964 Filed May 2, 1960 H. R. RASCH 3,157,251

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. HERMAN R. RASCH v s wflwsw A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,157,251 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Herman R. Rasch, Terre Haute, Ind., assignor to National Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 2, 1960, Ser. No. 27,466 26 Claims. (Cl. 189-1) This invention relates to building constructions and more particularly to building constructions'including rigid portal frames. 1

Rigid frame buildings include a plurality of rigid portal frames spaced from each other longitudinally of the building and extendingtransversely of the building from side wall to side wall. The rigid portal frames include a pair of upstanding side members or columns positioned at opposite sides of the building, and a pair of inclined roof members each having one end joined to the upper end of one of the side members at the haunch of the frame, with the other ends of the roof members being joined together at the ridge of the frame. Girts and purlins are secured to the side members and the roof members, respectively, for connecting the rigid portal frames to provide-an integral structure and for supporting the siding and roofing of the building. Inasmuch as the maximum negative bending moment stresses occur at each haunch of the frames, and since the negative bending moment stresses gradually decrease in directions away from each haunch, toward the ridge of the frame and toward the base of the side members, it is generally the practice to utilize tapered members in the construction of rigid portal frames to present members having varying beam strength characteristics according to the varying bending moment stresses and thus effect a'material saving in the amount of metal required.

In view of the fact that the maximum bending moment stresses occur at the haunch of the frames and since the side members and the roof members are joined together at an obtuse angle determined by the desired slope of the roof of the building, difiicult structural problems are presented with respect to the formation of the joints between the upper end of the side column members and the outer ends of the roof members. In the past, in view of the complexity of the types of joints employed, it has been the practice to form the haunch connection at the factory and to ship, as a composite structural element of the building, the side column members and at least the outer portion of the roof members in order to insure a building construction including adequate strength in the region of the haunches of the frames. The complexity of the haunch joints employed in the past and the necessity of forming the joint at the factory and not as a step in the operation of erecting the building at the site, materially increased the cost of the prior building, and the unwieldly shape of the composite column and roof member presented shipping problems and decreased the flexibility of the building and restricted its use.

It is an object of the present invention toprovide a novel rigid frame building constructionwhich'overcomes the foregoing disadvantages. Y c

It is another objectto provide a novel type of haunch construction which permits the side-column members and the outer section of the roof members to be shipped as independent components of the building for assembly at the site without requiring special techniques out impairing the strength of the frame.

Still another object of the present invention, is to proe vide a novel form of structural member for use as'a col-.

umn in a rigid portal frame, the novel structure member providing an economical use of metal unattainable by following prior practices.

struction for a rigid portal frame which eliminates the i and with- Patented Nov. 17, 1964 necessity of employing outwardly extending brace members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rigid portal frame including a novel arrangement for joining adjacent ends of the roof members at the ridge bers are tapered in accordance with the bending moment stresses involved in order to reduce the metal required in accordance with conventional practice. The column members and the outer portions of the roof members are joined together at the haunch of the frame in a novel manner permitting the use of bolt type connecting means in a simple operation that may be performed at the site of erection of the building. The design of the haunch construction is such that the connecting bolts are in shear and external bracing for the column members is not required' An unbalanced type of column member is providediwhich not only makes it possible to obtain a more economical use of metal in the column members but aids in providing a haunch construction having the characteristics described above.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the limitsof the invention, reference forthe latter purpose being had to the appended claims.

In'thedrawing's, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

' FIGURE 1 is an end view ofa building construction including a rigid portal frame embodying the principles of the present invention;

. FIGURE '2 is an enlarged view in side elevation of a portion of a rigid .frame showing a form of haunch 1 construction provided by the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a view in section taken along line 3-3 ofFIGURE 2; 1

FIGURE 4 is a View in section taken along line 4--4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view in section taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2; e I

FIGURE 6 is an exploded, perspective view, illustrating the novel haunch construction shown in FIGURE 2; FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the joint at the ridge of a rigid. portal frame constructed in accordance with the principles of the present'invention;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of an element'-employed in the ridge connection shown in FIGURE 7;

:FIGURE 9 is a'yiew in section taken along the line -a-xaorrrounni; I r

' modification of. the form A still further object is to provide-a no'velhaunch con; 6

- FIGURE .10 is a view in section 1tl-10of FIGURE 9-;.;

FIGURE ll isa view in elevation illustrating a modification of the form of-haunch construction shown in- FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 12 is a' view in elevation illustrating another 1 .of haunch construction shown.

in FIGURE 2;-

FIGURE 13 is aview in elevation illustrating still another modification pith; f Qf'ha-unch construction. hshown in FIGURE 2;. c c

taken along the line FIGURE 14 is a still further modification of haunch construction shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 15 is a view in elevation illustrating another form of haunch construction provided by the present invention;

FIGURE 16 is a view in elevation illustrating a modification of the form of haunch construction shown in FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a view in elevation illustrating still another modification of the form of haunch construction shown in FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 18 is a view in elevation illustrating still another form of haunch construction provided by the present invention;

FIGURE 19 is a view in elevation illustrating a modification of the form of haunch construction shown in FIGURE 18; and

FIGURE 20 is a view in elevation illustrating still another modification of the form of haunch construction shown in FIGURE 18.

With reference more particularly to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, a building construction is shown therein including a rigid portal frame extending transversely of the building from side wall to side wall. It is to be understood that a plurality of similar rigid portal frames, not shown, lie in vertical planes spaced longitudinally of the building. The rigid portal frames include a pair of upstanding side members or columns 11 and 12 and a pair of inclined roof members or rafters 13 and 14. The inner ends of the roof members are connected together at the ridge of the frame in a novel manner that will be described in detail below, and the outer ends of the roof members are joined at their outer ends to upper ends of the column members 11 and 12 at each haunch of the frame. The angular relationship betweeen the longitudinal axes of respective connected column members and roof members defines an internal, obtuse angle establishing the slope of the roof of the building. The column members 11 and 12 support horizontal, vertically spaced girts 15 which extend longitudinally of the building and connect the side members of adjacent portal frames, while the roof members support parallel, transversely spaced purlins 16 which extend longitudinally of the building. The girts and the purlins support suitable siding material 17 and roofing material 18; the siding and roofing material may comprise sheets of galvanized metal, for example. The ends of the building may be closed by any suitable structure supported by a plurality of vertically disposed end wall columns 19. The end wall columns may support horizontally disposed girts, not shown, upon which suitable siding material may be secured. The lower ends of the side column members 11 and 12 are provided with a suitable foundation 20 to which they are positively anchored by any suitable means, not shown. The foundation 20 may comprise a concrete slab presenting a floor 21 for the building. The building construction may be of any desired length determined by the number of rigid portal frames employed.

As shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 6, the side column members, such as the side column member 12, include a web 25, an outer flange 26 and an inner flange 27. The web comprises an elongated flat plate including an outer longitudinal edge 28 disposed in a vertical plane and an inner longitudinal edge having a major portion 29 inof the form clined with respect to the outer longitudinal edge and a minor upper portion 30 in parallel relation with the outer longitudinal edge. The ends of the longitudinal edges at the lower end of the web lie in a horizontal plane in spaced relationship at the bottom or base ofthe column adjacent the floor 21, and the ends of the longitudinal e'dges at the upper end of the web lie in a plane disposed at an obtuse anglewith the outer longitudinal edge. The outer flange 26 comprises an elongated, rectangular flat plate 31, symmetrically positioned with respect to the web and lying adjacent its outer longitudinal edge 28 and integrally joined thereto by longitudinal fillet welds 32 and 33. The inner flange 27 comprises an elongated, rectangular plate including an inclined portion 34 lying adjacent the inclined portion 29 of the web inner edge and a parallel portion 35 lying adjacent the parallel portion 30 of the inner edge of the web. The portions 34 and 35 of the inner flange are symmetrically positioned with respect to the plane of the web and are secured thereto by longitudinal welds 36 and 37. The flanges 26 and 27 lie in planes perpendicular to the plane of the web and may be of equal width and extend outwardly corresponding distances from the sides of the web. The inner flange 27 is of a thickness greater than the thickness of the outer flange 26 for a purpose that will be described below.

The column member 12 is provided at its upper end with a cover member or cap 40 comprising a rectangular, flat plate 41. The plate has a width dimension corresponding to the width of the inner and outer flanges and overlies the upper ends of the flanges and bridges the space between the flanges and lies in contact with the upper end of the web 25. The plate 41 is weldably secured to the web and the flanges to provide an integral structure, and lies in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the outer flange 26. The plate 41 includes a coplanar extension 42 projecting inwardly of the building beyond the parallel portion 30 of the inner flange 27 for a purpose that will be described below. In the region of the upper end of the inclined portion 34 and the lower end of the parallel portion 35 of the inner flange, the column member is provided with horizontally disposed stiffening plates 45 and 46 positioned between the inner and outer flanges on opposite sides of the web and weldably secured to the adjacent surfaces of the web and the flanges, as shown in FIGURE 5. Column members as described above, including the cover member 40 and the stiffening plates 45 and 46 are fabricated at the plant and shipped as integral components of the building construction.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the roof members 13 and 14 include tapered outer sections 50 and 51 and uniform inner sections 52 and 53, respectively. The sections of the roof members are of I-shape cross-section made up of elongated plates welded together in a manner similar to the construction of the column members as described above. The plates forming the webs of the uniform inner sections 52 and 53 are of rectangular shape, while tapered plates comprise the webs of the outer sections 50 and 51. In particular, with reference to FIGURE 2, the section 51 includes a web 54 having an upper longitudinal edge 55 to which an upper flange 56 is weldably secured, and a lower longitudinal edge 57 inclined away from the upper edge in a direction outwardly of the building, to which a lower flange 58 is joined by welds.

As shown more clearly in FIGURES 2 and 6, the outer end of the upper flange 56 of the roof section 51 underlies the projection 42 of the cover member 40 and is secured thereto in parallel relation by a series of bolts and nut attaching means 60 located on opposite sides of the web 54. The projection 42 and the upper'flange 56 are provided with openings 61 and 62, respectively, for the attaching means. The upper flange 56 lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the cover member 40 and the outer ends of the web and the upper and lower flanges of the roof section 51 lieina plane parallel to the parallel portion 35 of the inner flange 27 of the column member. In order to form a connection between the lower flange 58 of the roof section and the column member, a butt plate 65 is weldably secured to the outer end of the lower flange 58 and to the lower end portion of the web 54, a portion of the butt plate extending downwardly below the lower flange 58. The butt plate 65 lies flat against the outer lower surface of the parallel portion 35 of the inner flange 27 adjacent the inner end of the lower flange and is secured to the parallel portion 35 by series of bolts and nut type connecting means 66 located on opposite sides of the webs of the column member and the roof section. As shown in FIGURE 2, the parallel portion 35 extends downwardly from the cover member 40 in predetermined relationship with the depth of the roof section at its outermost end so that the lowermost edge of the parallel portion lies in a horizontal plane substantially coincident with the lower edge of the butt member and below the lower flange 58 a suflicient distance to permit the location of at least one of the connecting means 66 below the lower flange of the roof section on both sides of the webs. The horizontal plate stiifeners 45 and 46 are located in a horizontal plane intersecting the outermost end of the lower flange 58 of the roof section 51.

In a rigid portal frame including a haunch construction provided by the present invention, negative bending moment stresses place the outer flange 26 of the column member, the cover member 40 and the upper flange 56 of the outer roof section under tension, and the lower flange 58 of the roof section and the inner flange 27 of the column member under compression. Thus, the connecting bolts 60 between the projection 42 and the outer end of the upper flange 56 and the bolts 66 connecting the parallel portion 35 of the column member and the butt plate 65, are in shear, with substantially equalized shear in each of bolts 66. This feature makes it practicable to join the column member and the roof member by the use of bolt type connections, inasmuch as the connecting bolts are not under tension. As noted in FIGURE 2, the roof section 51 is joined to the parallel portion 35 at the upper end of the column member without a continuous connection between the web 54 of the roof section and the column member. results in prohibiting the development of undesirable stresses in the upper portion of the web 25 of the column member in the region of the haunch and increases the stability of the rigid portal frame. Inasmuch as the lower flange 58 of the roof section Slis under compression, the

major compressional forces due to positive bending moment stresses are transmitted to the column member in the region of its connection with the butt plate 65. A major component of the compressional stress is transmitted directly to the inclined portion 34 of the inner flange 27 while a minor horizontal component is carried by the horizontal stiffening plates 45 and 46. As a re- 7 sult, the portion of the web 25 above the horizontal stiffening plates is not subjected to complicated stress patterns as would be the case if the webs of the column member and the roof member were joined together either directly or through the outer flange of the column member. The horizontal plates thus constitute stiffening members which provide a rigid portal frame of high stability. In

addition, the parallel portion 35 of the inner flange of.

the column member functions as a stiifening member and contributes to the high stability characteristic of a rigid portal frame including the construction provided by the present invention, Since the bolts forming the connections between the roof member and the column member are in shear, it is necessary to provide adequate bearing surfaces to carry the shear loads involved. The butt plate 65 is welded to the outer end of the lower flange S8 of the roof section and extends upwardly in contiguous relation with the outer edge of the web 54 a suflicient distanceto'provide' the area of weld'necessary so'that the r butt plate is capable of carrying the shear load. Inaddiarea required. Thus it is possible to locate the centroid This type of construction of compression close to the juncture of the horizontal stiifening members 45, 46 and the inner flange of the column member. In addition, the use of a relatively thick parallel portion 35 provides a more eflicient brace for the shear bolts 66. i

As shown in FIGURES l, 3 and 6, the inner flange 27 of the column member is relatively thicker with respect to the outer flange 26, not only in the region of the parallel portion 35 of the inner flange but throughout its tapered portion 34 downwardly to the lower end or base of the column member. The feature of providing col,- umn members having inner flanges of a thickness or a cross-sectional are greater than the thickness or crosssectional area of the outer flanges results in a more economical distribution of metal throughout the column members. The inner flange of the column member is under compression due to the compressive force resulting from the negative bending moment stresses and due to the compressive force resulting from axial'load, while the outer flange, although subject to a compressive force due to the axial load, is under tension as a result of the negative bending moment stresses. Column members subjectto axial compressive loads and to bending moment stresses therefore require a section modulus for the inner flange which is larger than the section modulus required for the outer flange. Therefore, it is possible to move the neutral axis of the column member and displace the neutral axis of the column member in a direction toward the inner flange to obtain a higher section modulus on the inner flange and reduce compression stress due to the bending moment for a given area of section. The neutral axis of the column member may be displaced in a direction toward the compression or inner flange by increasing the cross-sectional area of the compressional flange, by decreasing the cross-sectional area of the outer flange or by increasing the cross-sectional area of the inner flange while decreasing the cross-sectional area of the outer flange. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, it is possible to provide a column member including less material which is capable of carrying design loads by increasing thecross-sectional area of the inner flange while at the same time decreasing the cross-sectional area of the outer flange. Since the crosssectional area of the inner flange is increased, it is possible to decrease the cross-sectional area of the outer flange by an amount that would not be otherwise possible. As shown in FIGURE 2, the neutral axis NN of the column member 12 is displaced from the medial longitudinal axis MM in a direction toward the inner flange 27 by an amount determined by the relative proportioning of the metal in the inner and outer flanges. The neutral axis of an unbalanced column of the type shown in FIGURE 2 may not be linear as shown.

The present invention also provides a novel arrangement for joining the inner ends of the roof sections 52 and 53 at the ridge of the frame. As shown in FIGURE 7, the inner ends of the roof sections are provided with vertically disposed butt plates 70 and 71 weldably secured to the ends of respective webs and flanges, and the butt plates are secured together by means of bolts 72.

In addition, an integral member 73 including angular portions 74 and 75 is positioned on the underside of the roof members in the region of the ridge with the portions 74 and 75 in contact with the lower flanges 76 and 77, respectively, at their inner ends. the member 73 are joined to respective lower flangesof the-roof sections by means of bolts 78. In accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, the member 73 is of non-rigid construction to permit limited flexure The angular portions of 7 number of bolts to form a ridge connection of the required strength and prevents failure along the welded joints of the roof sections especially during erection operations.

The present invention also provides a novel arrangement for connecting the end wall column members 19 to the building construction. As shown in FIGURES 9 and 10, the upper end of an end wall column member 19 is attached to a vertical flange 82 of an angle member 83 having an inclined flange 84 located on the underside of the upper flange 85 of the roof section 53 and secured thereto by means of bolts 86, one of which functions to join a purlin 16 to the upper flange. In order to cornpensate for slight variations in the level of the floor 21, the upper ends of the end wall column members are provided with slotted openings 88 for receiving bolts 87 securing the column 19 to the vertical flange 82, the openings permitting limited vertical adjustment of the column member 19. With this arrangement horizontal forces applied to the end wall are transmitted directly to the rigid frame at the end of the building at a point thereon to which a longitudinally extending purlin is also connected. Thus, the horizontal forces are transmitted directly to the longitudinal members of the roof construction and twisting of the rigid portal frame is elin inated and bracing is not required.

Modifications of the form of haunch construction shown in FIGURE 2 are illustrated in FIGURES 11, l2, l3, and 14 of the drawings. The modifications illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12 make it possible to utilize similar column members in the construction of buildings of different roof slopes. The haunch construction shown in FIGURE 11 includes a cover member or cap 160 comprising a flat plate 191 joined to the upper ends of the flanges and web of the column 12 and being provided with a planar extension 162 disposed at an angle with respect to the plate 101 and which lies coplanar with the outer flange 56 of the rafter; the angular relationship between the extension 181 and the outer flange 56 of the rafter with respect to the outer flange 26 of the column being greater than the angular relationship between the plate 101 and the outer flange of the column. The roofing 18 is parallel to the rafter 51 and a purlin 103 of reduced depth is provided in the region of the outer flange of the column and the roofing 18. The outer flange 56 of the rafter is secured to the extension 192 by means of bolts 69 and the lower flange 53 of the rafter is secured to the inner flange 27 of the column by means of the butt plate 65 and bolts 66 in a manner similar to the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2. By increasing the angular relationship between the extension 102 and the outer flange 26 of the column with respect to the angular relationship between the plate 101 and the outer flange of the column, it is possible to utilize similar columns in the construction of buildings of increased roof pitch. The arrangement shown in FIGURE 12 makes it possible to decrease the roof pitch with respect to the roof pitch of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2. In FIGURE 12, the column includes a cover member 104 having a flat plate 1 35 secured to the upper ends of the flanges and web of the column in a manner similar to the arrangement of FIG- URE 2. In the arrangement of FIGURE 12, however, the cover member 1114 includes an extension 106 disposed at an angle with respect to the outer flange of the column which is less than the angular disposition between the plate 135 and the outer flange of the column. As in the previous arrangements, the extension 1116 is coplanar with the outer flange 55 of the rafter and is secured thereto by bolts 60 and the inner flange 53 of the rafter is secured to the inner flange 2.7 of the column by the butt plate 65'and bolts. With this arrangement, the roof 18 is substantially parallel to the rafters and a purlin 197 of increased depth is positioned in the region of the outer flange of the column.

In the haunch construction'shown in FIGURE 13, the column 12 includes an inner web 27 having an upper portion 108 which is coplanar with the inner flange of the column. The ends of the web and flanges of the column at its upper end terminate in a plane disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the outer flange of the column and a cover member 109 is provided including a flat plate 116 secured to the upper edges of the web and flanges of the column and the flat plate is provided with a coplanar extension 111 overlying the outer flange 56 of the rafter and being secured thereto by bolts 60. In this form of the invention, the inner end of the rafter is terminated in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper end portion 108 of the inner flange of the column and a butt plate 112 is weldably secured to the lower flange 58 and the web 54 of the rafter to overlie the outer surface of the inner web of the column and is bolted to the inner flange of the column by means of bolts 113 in a manner similar to the previous arrangements. In the arrangement shown in FIGURE 14, the upper end portion 114 of the inner flange of the column is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the outer flange 27 of the column. The upper end of the column is provided with a cover member 115 including a flat plate 116 weldably secured to the upper edges of the outer flange 27, the web 25, and the portion 114 of the column and the flat plate 116 includes a coplanar extension 117 which overlies the outer flange 56 of the rafter and is secured thereto by means of bolts 118. The inner end of the rafter terminates in a plane parallel to the plane of the portion 114 and a butt plate 119 is welded to the outer end of the web 54 and inner flange 58 and the butt plate 119 is secured to the portion 114 by means of bolts 120. The upper end portion 114 of the inner flange of the column may be disposed in any acute angle with respect to the outer flange 27 of the column and the angular disposition of the portion 114 may be such as to establish substantially perpendicular relationship with the outer flange 56 of the rafter, if so desired. In the embodiments shown in FIGURES l3 and 14, the extensions 111 and 117 may be disposed at different angular relationship relative to respective flat plates 110 and 116 in order to provide buildings of different roof slopes in accordance with the arrangements shown in FIGURES 11 and 12.

The embodiments of the invention shown in FIG- URES l5, l6, l7, l8, l9, and 20 of the drawings disclose additional forms of haunch constructions which permit the use of bolt-type connecting means to join the columns and rafters at the haunch of the building at the site of erection of the building in which the haunch construction includes the novel feature of the present invention in which the connecting bolts are in shear. These figures illustrate only the upper portion of the column and the outer end of the rafter in the manner in which these elements are connected together to form the haunch of the building and it is to be expressly understood that a building including a plurality of portal frames in which the haunch constructions are formed in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 15 through 20 may be provided in a manner similar to the haunch construction shown in FIGURE 2 and the building may include purlins and girts for supporting roofing and siding as described in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 2; the purlins and girts and roofing and siding being deieted from FIGURES 15 through 20 for the sake of clarity. I

One of the advantages of the forms of the invention disclosed in FIGURES 15 through 20 is the adaptability of utilizing similar columns in building constructions having different sloped roofs Without requiring modification of the haunch construction.

With reference more particularly to FIGURE 15 of the drawings, a haunch construction is shown herein including a tapered column 121 and a tapered rafter 121, the column including a tapered web 122 and inner and outer flanges 123 and 124 welded to the longitudinal edges of the web to form a member of I-shape crosssection similar to the construction shown in FIGURE 2.

Likewise, the rafter 121 includes a tapered web 125 and inner and outer flanges 126 and 127 welded to the longitudinal edges of the web 125 likewise to form a structure of I-shape cross-section generally similar to the crosssectional shape of the rafter member shown in FIGURE 2.

In the construction shown in FIGURE 15, the upper end of the outer flange 124'terminates below the upper end of the web 122 and a connecting plate 128 is provided having one portion 129 extending upwardly from the upper end of the outer flange 124 and extending outwardly from both sides of the web 122 and being weldably attached to the outer longitudinal edge of the web 122 in the region of the web between its upper end and the upper end of the outer flange 124. The connecting plate 128 includes another portion 130 extending upwardly beyond the upper end of the web 122m substantial coplanar relationship with the outer flange 124; the connecting plate 128 extends throughout its length from opposite sides of the plane of the web 122 and is of a thickness greater than the thickness of the web 122. The connecting plate 123 may have a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the web 122 but of a width greater than the width of the flange 124. However, the illustrated structure is preferred since it provides a haunch construction of uniform thickness. The upper end of the column is provided with a flat, horizontally disposed cap plate 131 extending outwardly from both sides of the web 122 and being welded to the web 122, the inner flange 123 and the connecting plate 139. The upper flange 127 of the rafter is inclined at the desired roof slope and the outer end of the rafter terminates in a flat plate 134 disposed in a vertical plane and extending outwardly from both sides of the web 125 and being welded to the web 125. The flat plate 134 extends downwardly substantially throughout the depth of the portion 130 of the connecting plate and overlies the connecting plate and is secured to the connecting plate by means of nuts and bolts 132, the nuts and bolts 132 being located on both sides of the web 125. The inner flange 126 of the rafter terminates in a flat, horizontally disposed portion 136 welded to the adjacent portion of the web 125. The portion 136 is coplanar with the upper surface of the horizontal column cap plate 131 and is secured to the latter member by means of nuts and bolts 137 located in groups on both sides of the webs 122 and 125. The haunch construction also includes a stiffening member 138 located on each side of the web 125 and being welded to the web 125 and extending from the outer end of the flange 126 in the region of the inner flange 123 of the column diagonally to the joint between the outer end of the outer flange 127 and the vertically disposed end plate 134. With this construction, the column and rafter are connected together to form a haunch construction by the mere use of nut and bolt type of connecting means which are so located with respect to the elements of the haunch construction as to be subject to shear forces as in the previous embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that rafter members having different angular relationships of the inner and outer flanges may be designed for connection to the column member without makes it possible to join the column and rafter members by the use of nut and bolt type of connecting means. The connecting plate 128 is of greater cross-sectional area and overlies a portion of the web 122 of the column and a portion of the web 125 of the rafter in order to carry the stresses involved and distribute thestresses to the webs of the respective members. The inner end of the rafter is connected to the upper end of the column adja- In thistype of concent to the inner flange 123 by means of the plate 136 which terminates in spaced relation with the vertical plate 134 joined to the end of the web 125. This construction prohibits the development of undesirable stresses in the adjacent portions of the webs 122 and and increases stability of a rigid portal frame including this type of haunch construction. The diagonal brace 138 aids in distributing the stresses between the rafter and the column.

In the haunch construction shown in FIGURE 16, the outer flange 124 of the column extends throughout the length of the web 122 and is welded to the flat plate 131 at the upper end of the column. In this construction, a connecting plate 140 is provided which includes a portion 141 overlying the outer surface of the outer flange 124 at the upper end of the column and overlying the lower portion of the vertical plate 134 connected to the end of the web 125. The portion 141 is welded to the flange 124 while the portion 142 is secured to the vertical plate 134 by means of nuts and bolts 143 which are lo cated on both sides of the web 125.

In the haunch construction shown in FIGURE 17, the outer flange 124 of the column includes an extension which overlies the vertical plate 134 of the rafter and which may terminate adjacent the upper flange of the rafter. In addition, the haunch construction includes a connecting plate 151 having a portion 152 overlying a portion of the outer surface of the outer flange 124 and a portion 153 overlying at least the lower part of the extension 150 of the flange 124. The portion 152 is welded to the outer flange 124 while the portion 153 is secured to the extension 150 of the outer flange and to the vertical plate 134 by means of bolts 154 and the flange extension 150 is joined to the vertical plate 134 by means of bolts 155, the bolts 154 and 155 being located on both sides of the web 125.

The embodiments of the invention shown in FIGURES 18, 19 and 20 are generally similar to the arrangements shown in FIGURES 15, 16 and 17 with the exception that the bolted connection between the column and the rafter in the region of the outer flanges is located in the outer flange of the columns. In FIGURE 18, the rafter includes a vertical plate extending outwardly from both sides of the web 125 and being welded to the web 125 throughout the depth of the web and including a downwardly extending portion 161 which overlies the upper end of the outer flange 124. Bolt and nut connecting means 162, located on both sides of the web 122, form a connection between the extension 161 and the outer flange 124. In FIGURE 19, a connecting plate 165 is provided having a portion 164 overlying the lower portion of the vertical plate 134 and being welded thereto and including a portion 167 extending downwardly in overlying relation with respect to the outer surface of the outer flange 124 and being secured thereto by nuts and bolts 168 located on both sides of the web 122. In FIGURE 20, the outer end of the rafter is provided with an end plate 160 welded to the outer end of the web 125 and including a portion 161 which overlies the outer surface of the upper portion of outer flange 1240f the column. Also, a connecting plate 170'is provided including a portion 171 overlying the plate 169 in the region of the web 125 of the rafter and including. a portion 172 overlying the extension 161 of the plate 160. The upper end of the flange 124, the extension 161 and the portion .172 of the connecting plate 17 0 are secured together by bolts 173 located on both sides of the Web 122.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed and described, it is expressly understood that various changes and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as well understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the various haunch constructions may be employed with non-tapered columns and rafters. Reference therefore will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

This application is a continuation-in-part of applicants copending application Serial No. 644,012, filed March 5, 1957.

What is claimed is:

1. A structural member for a column of a rigid portal frame comprising an elongated web portion including a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge including a portion inclined at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal edge, the longitudinal edges at one end of the web portion terminating in spaced relation and the longitudinal edges at the other end of the web portion terminating in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first longitudinal edge, a first elongated flange portion joined to the first longitudinal edge of the web portion, a second elongated flange portion joined to the second longitudinal edge of the web portion, the first and second flange portions lying in planes perpendicular to the plane of the web portion and extending outwardly from both sides of the web portion, a flat plate member overlying the ends of the first and second flange portions at the other end of the web portion and disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first longitudinal edge of the web portion and being joined to the ends of the Web portion and the first and second flange portions, the flat plate member including a coplanar portion extending outwardly beyond the second flange portion, the coplanar portion of the flat plate member including connecting means and plate members connected between the first and second flange portions on both sides of the web portion and joined to the web portion in a region of the web portion displaced from the connecting plate.

2. A structure member for a column of a rigid portal frame comprising an elongated plate including a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge having a first portion extending from one end of the elongated member in inclined relation with the first longitudinal edge throughout a major part of the length of the elongated plate and a parallel portion extending in parallel relation with the first longitudinal edge throughout the remaining portion of the length of the elongated plate and terminating at the other end of the elongated plate in a plane passing through the other end of the first longitudinal edge and at an obtuse angle with respect to the first longitudinal edge, a first elongated flange joined to the first longitudinal edge of the elongated plate, a second elongated flange joined to the second longitudinal edge of the elongated plate, the second elongated flange including an inclined portion and a parallel portion complementary with the inclined portion and parallel portion of the second longitudinal edge, the first and second flanges lying in planes perpendicular to the plane of the elongated plate and extending outwardly from both sides of the elongated plate, a flat plate joined to the ends of the first and second flanges at the other end of the elongated plate bridging the space between the first and second flanges and being joined to the elongated plate, the flat plate including a coplanar extension projecting out wardly beyond the second flange, the coplanar extension of the flat plate and the parallel portion of the second elongated flange including connecting means.

3. A rigid portal frame comprising a column including a tapered web and first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web and being in maximum spaced relation at one end of the column, a rafter member including a tapered web and first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web and being in maximum spaced relation at one end of the rafter member, the ends of the web and flanges at the one end of the column lying in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first flange, connecting means joined between the flanges at the one end of the column and bridging the space between the flanges, the connecting means including an extension lying in the obtuse plane and projecting outwardly beyond the second flange of the column, means for joining the extension of the connecting means in parallel overlying re lation to the first flange of the rafter member at the one end of the rafter member, the ends of the web and the flanges at the one end of the rafter member lying in a plane parallel to a portion of the second flange of the column adjacent the connecting means, and means for connecting the rafter member to the second flange of the coiunm in the region of the second flange of the rafter member.

4. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 3 in which the means for joining the extension of the connecting means to the first flange of the rafter member and the means for connecting the rafter member to the second flange of the column comprise bolts in shear.

5. A rigid portal frame comprising a column including a tapered web and first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web and being in maximum spaced relation at one end of the column, a rafter member including a tapered web and first and second flange joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web and being in maximum spaced relation at one end of the rafter member, the ends of the web and flanges at the one end of the column lying in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first flange, a flat cover plate overlying the ends of the flanges and the web at the one end of the column and being connected thereto, the cover plate including a plate extension lying in the obtuse plane and projecting outwardly beyond the second flange of the column, means for joining the plate extension in parallel overlying relation to the first flange of the rafter member at the one end of the rafter member, the ends of the web and the flanges at the one end of the rafter member lying in a plane parallel to a portion of the second flange of the column adjacent the connecting means, a flat plate joined to the end of the second flange and a portion of the web adjacent the sec ond flange at the one end of the rafter member, means for connecting the flat plate to the outer surface of the second flange of the column, and stiffening plates connected to the second flange of the column on both sides of the web and to the web.

6. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 5 in which the means for joining the plate extension to the first flange of the rafter member and the means for connecting the flat plate to the second flange of the column comprises a plurality of bolts in shear.

7. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 6 in which the means for connecting the flat plate to the second flange of the column includes bolts located on opposite sides of the stiifening plates.

8. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 7 in which the stiffening plates lie in a plane passing through the end of the second flange of the rafter member at the one end of the rafter member. 7

9. A building construction comprising a column including a tapered web and angularly disposed flanges joined to the web and extending outwardly from the plane of the web and being in maximum spaced relation at one end of the column, a rafter including a tapered web and angularly disposed flanges joined to the web and extending outwardly from the plane of the web and being in maximum spaced relation at one end of the rafter, and a haunch structure wherein the one end of the column and the one end of the rafter are connected with their longitudinal axes defining an internal obtuse angle establishing the roof slope of the building construction, the haunch structure including a first plate member joined to the column in angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of the column and having a portion extending outwardly from the column and overlying a flange of the rafter, a second plate member joined to the col-umn and presenting an outside surface lying in a plane parallel to the one end of the rafter, and means for joining the overlying portion of the first plate member to one flange of the rafter and the second plate member to the one end of the rafter in the region of the other flange of the rafter.

10. A building construction comprising a column including a tapered web and angularly disposed flanges joined to the web and extending outwardly from th plane of the web and being in maximum spaced relation at one end of the column, a rafter including a tapered web and angularly disposed flanges joined to the web and extending outwardly from the plane of the web and be ing in maximum spaced relation at one end of the rafter with an end plate member at its one end in the region of one of the flanges, and a haunch construction wherein the one end of the column and the one end of the rafter are connected with their longitudinal axes defining an internal obtuse angle establishing the roof slope of the building construction, the haunch construction including a first plate member joined to the column in angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of the column and having a portion extending outwardly from the column and overlying the other flange of the rafter, a second plate member joined to the column and presenting an outside surface lying in a plane parallel to the end plate member of the rafter, and means for joining the extending portion of the first plate member to the other flange of the rafter and the second plate member to the end plate member.

11. A building construction as defined in claim in which the means for joining the extending portion of the first plate member to the other flange of the rafter and for joining the second plate member to the end plate member of the rafter comprises bolt and nut connecting means.

12. A building construction comprising a column including a web disposed in a vertical plane and inner and outer flanges respectively joined to the inner and outer longitudinal edges of the Web and extending outwardly in angular relation from the plane of the web, a rafter including a web disposed in a vertical plane and upper and lower flanges respectively joined to the upper and lower longitudinal edges of the web and extending outwardly in angular relation from the plane of the web, and a haunch structure wherein one end of the column and one end of the rafter are'connected with their longitudinal axes defining an internal obtuse angle establishing the roof slope of the building, the haunch structime including a first plate member joined to the column and extending inwardly of the building in a direction away from the outer flange of the column and overlying the upper flange of the rafter, a second plate member joined to the one end of the rafter in contact with the lower flange of the rafter and lying in a plane parallel to the inner flange of the column, means for joining the upper flange of the rafter to the first plate member, and means joining the inner flange of the column to the second plate member.

13. A building construction as defined in claim 12 in which the means joining the upper flange of the rafter to the first plate member and the means joining the inner flange of the column to the second plate member comprises nut and bolt connecting means located on opposite sides of the plane of the webs with the longitudinal axes of the bolts being perpendicular to the plane of respective plate members.

14. A building construction comprising a column including a web disposed in a vertical plane and inner and outer flanges respectively joined to the inner and outer longitudinal edges of the web and extending outwardly in angular relation from the plane of the web, a rafter including a web disposed in a vertical plane and upper and lower flanges respectively joined to the upper and 14 lower longitudinal edges of the web and extending outwardly in angular relation from the plane of the We and a haunch construction wherein one end of the column and one end of the rafter are connected with their longitudinal axes defining an internal obtuse angle establishing the roof slope of the building, the haunch construction including a first plate member joined to the column and overlying the upper end of the column in angular relationship with the longitudinal axes of the column and including a portion extending inwardly of the building in a direction away from the outer flange of the column in overlying relationship with the upper flange of the rafter, a second plate member joined to the one end of the rafter in contact with the lower flange of the rafter and lying in a plane parallel to the inner flange of the column, nut and bolt connecting means passing through openings provided in the portion of the first plate member and in the upper flange of the rafter rigidly securing the upper flange of the rafter to the first plate means with the axes of the bolts being perpendicular to the plane of the upper flange, and second nut and bolt connecting means passing through openins provided in the inner flange of the column and in the second plate member rigidly joining the second plate member to the inner flange of the column with the axes of the bolts being perpendicular to the plane of the inner flange of the column.

15. A rigid portal frame comprising a column including a web and first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, a rafter member including a web and first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the Web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, the ends of the web and flanges at one end of the column lying in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first flange, connecting means at the one end of the column including a plate bridging the space between the flanges of the column and lying in the plane disposed at the obtuse angle with respect to the first flange of the column, the connecting means including an extension projecting beyond the second flange of the column in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first flange of the column greater than the obtuse angle between the plate and the first flange of the column, means for joining the extension of the connecting means in parallel overlying relation to the first flange of the rafter member at the one end of the rafter member, the ends of the web and the sec ond flange at the one end of the rafter member lying in a plane parallel to the contiguous portion of the second flange of the column, and means for connecting the rafter member to the second flange of the column in the re gion of the second flange of the rafter member.

16. A rigid portal. frame comprising a column including a weband first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, a rafter member including a web and first and second flanges joined to the longi tudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpen- I dicular to the web and extending outwardly from oppo* site sides of the web, the ends ofthe web and flanges at one end of the column lying in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first flange, connecting means at the one end of the column including a plate bridging the space between the flanges of the column and lying in the plane disposed at the obtuse angle with respect to the first flange of the column, the connecting means including an extension projecting beyond the sec ond flange of the column in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first flange of the column less than the obtuse angle between the plate and the first flange of the column, means for joining the ex tension of the connecting means in parallel overlying relation to the first flange of the rafter member at the one end of the rafter member, the ends of the web and the second flange at the one end of the rafter member lying in a plane parallel to the c ntiguous portion of the second flange of the column, and means for connecting the rafter member to the second flange of the column in the region oi the second flange of the rafter member.

17. A rigid portal frame comprising a column in cluding a web and first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, the upper portion of one longitudinal edge of the web being at an angle relative to the other longitudinal edge of the Web, a rafter member including a web and first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the we and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, the ends of the web and flanges at the one end of the column lying in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the first flange oi the column, connecting means joined between the flanges of the column at the one end of the column and bridging the space between the flanges, the connecting means including an extension lying in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the first flange of the column and projecting outwardly beyond the second flange of the column, means for joining the extension of the connecting means in parallel overlying relation to the first flange of the rafter member at the one end of the rafter member, the ends of the web and the flanges at the one end of the rafter member lying in a plane parallel to the upper portion of the second flange of the column, and means including a butt plate for connecting the rafter member to the second flange of the column in the region of the second flange of the rafter member.

18. A rigid portal frame comprising a column ineluding a web, a first longitudinal edge of the web including a first portion and a second portion at the upper end of the column inclined toward the second longitudinal edge at an obtuse angle relative to the first portion of the longitudinal edge, a first flange joined to the first and second portions of the first longitudinal edge of the web and a second flange joined to the second longitudinal edge of the web, the first and second flanges lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the Web, a rafter member including a web and first and second flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, the ends of the web and flanges of the column at the one end of the column lying in a plane disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the second flange, connecting means joined between the flanges of the column at the one end of the column and bridging the space between the flanges, the connecting means including an extension lying in the plane disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the second flange of the column and projecting outwardly beyond the first flange of the column, means for joining the extension of the connecting means in parallel overlying relation to the first flange of the rafter member at the one end of the rafter member, the ends of the web and the flanges of the rafter at the one end of the rafter member lying in a plane parallel to the second portion of the first longitudinal edge of the web of the column, and means for connecting the rafter member to the first flange of the column in the region of the second portion of the first longitudinal edge of the web of the column and in the region of the second flange of the rafter member.

19. A rigid portal frame comprising a column including a web and inner and outer flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, the ends of the web and at least one of the flanges of the column at one end of the column lying in a horizontal plane, a flat cap plate secured to the web and to at least one of the flanges at the one end of the column, a rafter member including a web and upper and lower flanges joined to the longitudinal edges of the web and lying in planes perpendicular to the web and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, the web of the rafter at one end of the rafter including a terminating edge disposed in a substantially vertical plane, an end plate secured to the terminating edge of the web of the rafter and extending outwardly from opposite sides of the web, the end plate extending from the upper flange of the rafter at least substantially throughout the terminating edge of the web of the rafter, the lower flange of the rafter including a horizontally disposed portion spaced'from the terminating edge of the web of the rafter and adapted to overlie the flat cap plate adjacent the inner flange of the column, means including bolt and nut connecting means for joining the horizontally disposed portion of the lower flange of the rafter to the flat cap plate and means including bolt and nut connecting means joining the end plate to the outer flange of the column.

20. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 19 in which the outer flange of the column terminates below the upper end of the column, and in which the means joining the end plate to the outer flange of the column comprises a connecting plate in overlying relation with the web of the column which projects upwardly in overlying relation with the end plate, the connecting plate being welded to the web of the column and being joined to the end plate by members passing through openings in the end plate and the connecting plate and the part of the connecting plate in overlying relation with the web of the column being an extension of the outer flange of the column.

21. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 19 in which the flanges of the column at the one end of the column are connected to the flat cap plate and in which the means joining the end plate to the outer flange of the column comprises a connecting plate overlying and joined to the outer flange of the column and including a portion overlying the end plate, and connecting means joining the end plate to the overlying portion of the connecting plate, the connecting means including members passing through openings in the end plate and the overlying portion of the connecting plate.

22. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 19 in which the flanges of the column at the one end of the column are connected to the fiat cap plate and in which the outer flange of the column includes an extension projecting upwardly beyond the upper end of the column in overlying relation with the end plate, a connecting plate including a first portion overlying and welded to a portion of the outer flange of the column joined to the web of the column and a second portion overlying a portion of the extension. of the outer flange of the column, connecting means for joining the extension and the end plate and for joining the end plate, the exten sion and the second portion of the connecting plate, the connecting means including members passing through openings in the connected members.

23. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 19 in which the flanges of the column at the one end of the column are connected to the flat cap plate and in which the means joining the end plate to the outer flange of the column comprises an extension of the end plate which extends downwardly in overlying relation with the outer flange of the column, the extension of the end plate being joined to the outer flange of the column by connecting means including members passing through openings in the extension of the end plate and the outer flange of the column.

24. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 19 in which the flanges of the column at the one end of the column are connected to the flat cap plate and in which the means joining the end plate to the outer flange of I? the column comprises a connecting plate including a first portion overlying and joined to the outer flange 0f the column and a second portion overlying and joined to a portion of the end plate, the first portion of the connecting plate being joined to the outer flange of the column by means including members passing through openings in the first portion of the connecting plate and the outer flange of the column.

25. A rigid portal frame as defined in claim 19 in which the flanges of the column at the one end of the column are connected to the flat cap plate and in which the means joining the end plate to the outer flange of the column comprises an extension of the end plate which extends downwardly in overlying relation with the outer flange of the column, a connecting plate which overlies and is joined to a portion of the end plate joined to the web of the rafter and which overlies a portion of the end plate overlying the outer flange of the column, and connecting means joining the connecting plate and the end plate extension to the outer flange of the column, the last-named means including members passing through openings provided in the last-named connected members.

26. A building construction comprising a column including a tapered web and angularly disposed flanges joined to the web and extending outwardly from the plane of the web and being in maximum spaced relation at one end of the column, a rafter including a tapered web and angularly disposed-flanges joined to the web and extending outwardly from the plane of the web and being in maxmium spaced relation at one end of the rafter, and a haunch structure wherein the one end of the column and the one end of the rafter are connected with their longitudinal axes defining an internal obtuse angle establishing the roof slope of the building construction, the haunch structure including a first plate member at the one end of the column joined to the flanges of the column and overlapping one of the flanges of the rafter, bolts in shear connecting the first plate member and the one flange of the rafter in the overlapping region, a second plate member, first connecting means joining the second plate member to the web of the rafter, and second connecting means joining the second plate member to one of the flanges of the column, at least one of the first and second connecting means including bolts in shear.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,003,435 9/ 11 Covert 50-56 2,539,279 1/51 Shannon 189-34 2,704,522 3/55 Frieder 50-56 2,730,208 1/ 5 6 Valentine 189-34 2,815,831 12/57 Hield 189-1 2,904,139 9/59 Prudhon 189-1 2,989,154 6/61 Colby 189-1 BENJAMIN BENDETT, Primary Examiner.

C. D. ANGEL, RICHARD W. COOKE, JACOB Ln NACKENOFF, Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3, 157 ,251 November 17, 1964 Herman R. Rasch It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below Column 3, line 22, for "drawing" read drawings column 6, line 13, for "are" read area column 11, line 32, for "structure" read structural Signed and sealed this 22nd day of June 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A STRUCTURAL MEMBER FOR A COLUMN OF A RIGID PORTAL FRAME COMPRISING AN ELONGATED WEB PORTION INCLUDING A FIRST LONGITUDINAL EDGE AND A SECOND LONGITUDINAL EDGE INCLUDING A PORTION INCLINED AT AN ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST LONGITUDINAL EDGE, THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES AT ONE END OF THE WEB PORTION TERMINATING IN SPACED RELATION AND THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES AT THE OTHER END OF THE WEB PORTION TERMINATING IN A PLANE DISPOSED AT AN OBTUSE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST LONGITUDINAL EDGE, A FIRST ELONGATED FLANGE PORTION JOINED TO THE FIRST LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF THE WEB PORTION, A SECOND ELONGATED FLANGE PORTION JOINED TO THE SECOND LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF THE WEB PORTION, THE FIRST AND SECOND FLANGE PORTIONS LYING IN PLANES PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF THE WEB PORTION AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE WEB PORTION, A FLAT PLATE MEMBER OVERLYING THE ENDS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND FLANGE PORTIONS AT THE OTHER END OF THE WEB PORTION AND DISPOSED AT AN OBTUSE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF THE WEB PORTION AND BEING JOINED TO THE ENDS OF THE WEB PORTION AND THE FIRST AND SECOND FLANGE PORTIONS, THE FLAT PLATE MEMBER INCLUDING A COPLANAR PORTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY BEYOND THE SECOND FLANGE PORTION, THE COPLANAR PORTION OF THE FLAT PLATE MEMBER INCLUDING CONNECTING MEANS AND PLATE MEMBERS CONNECTED BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FLANGE PORTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WEB PORTION AND JOINED TO THE WEB PORTION IN A REGION OF THE WEB PORTION DISPLACED FROM CONNECTING PLATE.
 19. A RIGID PORTAL FRAME COMPRISING A COLUMN INCLUDING A WEB AND INNER AND OUTER FLANGES JOINED TO THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES OF THE WEB AND LYING IN PLANES PERPENDICULAR TO THE WEB AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WEB, THE ENDS OF THE WEB AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE FLANGES OF THE COLUMN AT ONE END OF THE COLUMN LYING IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE, A FLAT CAP PLATE SECURED TO THE WEB AND TO AT LEAST ONE OF THE FLANGES AT THE ONE END OF THE COLUMN, A RAFTER MEMBER INCLUDING A WEB AND UPPER AND LOWER FLANGES JOINED TO THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES OF THE WEB AND LYING IN PLANES PERPENDICULAR TO THE WEB AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WEB, THE WEB OF THE RAFTER AT ONE END OF THE RAFTER INCLUDING A TERMINATING EDGE DISPOSED IN A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL PLANE, AN END PLATE SECURED TO THE TERMINATING EDGE OF THE WEB OF THE RAFTER AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WEB, THE END PLATE EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER FLANGE OF THE RAFTER AT LEAST SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE TERMINATING EDGE OF THE WEB OF THE RAFTER, THE LOWER FLANGE OF THE RAFTER INCLUDING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED PORTION SPACED FROM THE TERMINATING EDGE OF THE WEB OF THE RAFTER AND ADAPTED TO OVERLIE THE FLAT CAP PLATE ADJACENT THE INNER FLANGE OF THE COLUMN, MEANS INCLUDING BOLT AND NUT CONNECTING MEANS FOR JOINING THE HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED PORTION OF THE LOWER FLANGE OF THE RAFTER TO THE FLAT CAP PLATE AND MEANS INCLUDING BOLT AND NUT CONNECTING MEANS JOINING THE END PLATE TO THE OUTER FLANGE OF THE COLUMN.
 21. A RIGID PORTAL FRAME AS DEFINED IN CLAIM 19 IN WHICH THE FLANGES OF THE COLUMN AT THE ONE END OF THE COLUMN ARE CONNECTED TO THE FLAT CAP PLATE AND IN WHICH THE MEANS JOINING THE END PLATE TO THE OUTER FLANGE OF THE COLUMN COMPRISES A CONNECTING PLATE OVERLYING AND JOINED TO THE OUTER FLANGE OF THE COLUMN AND INCLUDING A PORTION OVERLYING THE END PLATE, AND CONNECTING MEANS JOINING THE END PLATE TO THE OVERLYING PORTION OF THE CONNECTING PLATE, THE CONNECTING MEANS INCLUDING MEMBERS PASSING THROUGH OPENINGS IN THE END PLATE AND THE OVERLYING PORTION OF THE CONNECTING PLATE. 